Story: John (Frank Sinatra) has lined up a payoff that could set him for a while, but to cash in, he will need to take out the president himself. He and two other would-be assassins will set up in a private home and craft a sniper’s nest inside, a short distance from a train station. The plan is for the crew to wait until the trains stops in a small town, then when the president emerges, John will take a shot. The group manages to get inside the house and take the family inside hostage, but as time passes before the assassination to take place, there’s drama, arguments, and of course, unexpected guests at the door. Can the family somehow stave off John’s deadly aspirations or will this be the final stop for the president?

Entertainment Value: If you’ve ever wanted to see Frank Sinatra slap a child, Suddenly is ready to provide you with that experience. Beyond the backhand of Old Blue Eyes, this drama offers a solid watch and has some unexpected b movie charm to boot. The story is simple enough, a home invasion combined with an assassination plot, but this is more about the characters than the situation. The assassination plot is always present in the narrative, but more time is devoted to how the characters handle the scenario. This is especially true of Sinatra’s John and the young kid that torments him, as it creates an interesting dynamic in how John reacts over the course of the movie, while other interpersonal dynamics are explored as well. I found the writing to be rock solid and the dialogue is dialed up at times, but the melodrama works well with this material. In truth, I appreciated the melodrama and b movie vibes the most here, as that’s where the entertainment was for me. But Suddenly is a solid thriller that has all the bases covered, so it earns a recommendation.

The presence of Frank Sinatra is likely what will draw most viewers to Suddenly and they won’t be disappointed, as he has the lead role and a wealth of screen time. Sinatra is fun to watch here and performs well, giving his usual tough guy attitude and a dose of charm to smooth the wrinkles. I love his dialogue exchanges in this one, as he is so on point and seems to click well with all of his costars. His timing is excellent and the way he navigates the temper of John lets him flex his thespian skills. His scenes with the kind are the most memorable, as they have the most fire, but even more routine exchanges seem sharp thanks to the natural dialogue, drips of melodrama, and the solid performances. The cast also includes Sterling Hayden, Nancy Gates, Paul Frees, and James Gleason.

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